William Ciccoli, 42, of Pottstown. (Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney's Office)
A bail hearing is set for Monday for William Ciccoli Jr.
A Pottstown Borough man has been charged with attempted murder of a police officer after a shooting incident Friday afternoon.
William Ciccoli Jr., 42, has also been charged by Montgomery County detectives with two counts of aggravated assault, felony strangulation, felony disarming a law enforcement officer, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person in the incident, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Pottstown Police Chief Michael Markovich.
At 2:40 p.m., Pottstown Police were called to an apartment complex on the 200 block of Chestnut Street, for a disturbance, where they encountered Ciccoli and a victim, who had to be separated due to an altercation, authorities said.
Police intended to cite Ciccoli for harassment and criminal mischief via summons through the mail, police said.
Two hours later, police returned to the residence, and separated the two parties again, in order to ascertain what occurred, authorities said. Police observed swelling on the neck and cheek of the victim and Ciccoli was taken into custody for assault, per the report.
Ciccoli allegedly struggled with an officer, who can be heard on body cam video saying, “He’s trying to get my gun.” Another officer tasered Ciccoli, and almost simultaneously, a gunshot was heard, authorities said.
The first officer was struck in the right hip with the bullet, police said. Body cam video shows Ciccoli with both hands on the officer’s gun before the gunshot, Steele said.
Officers administered lifesaving aid to the officer, but he was taken to Reading Hospital Trauma Center where he underwent surgery, according to Steele. The officer is in stable condition as of Saturday.
Ciccoli was arraigned Saturday morning before Magisterial District Judge Andrea Duffy, per court records. Bail was denied and he was remanded to Montgomery County jail.
A bail review is set for Monday at Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 26 at 11 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Edward Kropp.
Pottstown Community Justice Unit Captain and Assistant District Attorney Gabrielle Hughes has been assigned as prosecutor.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
